Wire-frame machine.



No. 830,264. PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

' A. VELLEMAN.

WIRE FRAME MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1730.14.1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

19 INKENTUR .EZra/zam ZZZeficam I: a ATTORNEYS No. 830,264. PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. A. VELLEMAN. WIRE FRAME MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 14, 1904,

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES. [NI/EDITOR v I $5M), ie 'Zleman/ ATTORNEYS- PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

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A. VELLEMAN.

WIRE FRAME MACHINE. APPLIOATION TILED DEO.14,1904.

WITNESSES: I I':!

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ran STATES PATENT orrrcn.

WIRE-FRAME MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

Application filed December 14,1904. Serial No. 236,887.

To all whom it 11b0, concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM VELLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved WVire- Frame Machine, of which the following. is a full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a machine especially adapted for producing wire hat-frames, which machine will be of exceedingly durable, economic, and eifective construction, and wherein the parts may be quickly and conveniently set up to shape the hat-frame to any desired or required style.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide conveniently operated and eflective means for releasing a hat-frame from the machine after the frame has been formed without any possible injury to the frame and to so construct the machine that the center is left entirely open, forming an uninterrupted space for the operation of the workmans hand in the formation of the frame, and yet provide means for setting the various framing members by measurement when desired.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a construction whereby each framing member is capable of independent adjustment in any required direction and may also be given any required shape.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the improved machine on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken practically on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through one of the supporting-arms of the machine and an adjustable clamp carried thereby and adapted to hold a framing member, which framing member also appears in section. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the auxiliary clamp for an auxiliary framing member and adapted for attachment to a main framing member, the latter appearing in section. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a lesser number of parts and illustrating the application to the machine of a removable measuring or gage device; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a supporting-arm, a main clamp andframing member connected therewith, and an auxiliary clamping and auxiliary framing member connected with the main framing member.

A represents the base of the machine, which comprises a flaring bottom section 10, adapted to rest on a suitable support, the said lower section 10 being chambered at its bottom, and an upper dislcsection 11, having a central concavity therein, together with a connecting neck-section 12. At the marginal portion of the upper disk-section 11 of the base A a series of pins 13 is located, arranged as may be required, and a pin 14 is made to pass down through an opening 19 in the neck 12 of the base, the opening 19 in said neck be ing provided with an enlargement 18, which connects with the concaved portion of the upper disk-section 11 of the said base. The pin 14 is tubular, being provided with a bore 15, (shown in Figs. 3 and 6,) which bore extends from the top to within a predetermined point near the bottom, and at the upper end of the said pin 14 two disks 16 and 16 are provided. A spring 17 is coiled around the pin 14, engaging with the lower disk 16 and with the bottom of the enlargement 18 in the bore 19 of the base, which spring serves to hold the pin 14 at a predetermined elevation relative to the base. The pin 14 is adapted to be drawn downward against the tension of the spring 17 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, and this downward movement of the pin 14 is usually brought about by means of a lever 20, operated by the hand or by foot, the said lever being connected to the lower end of the spring-controlled pin 14 and pivotally attached, as is shown at 21 in Fig. 1, to the lower section 10 of the base, the free end of the said lever 20 being made to pass out through a slot 22 in the said bottom member 10 of the base, as is also shown in Fig. 1.

In connection with the base A a predetermined number of supporting-bars B are employed. These supporting-bars are preferably made as is shown in Figs. 1 and 6, comprising each a vertical body-section 23, a lower horizontal section 24, continuous with the body 23, and an upper horizontal section 25, which is either attached to or is integral with the upper portion of the body-section 23. The supporting-bars B are usually made rectangular in crosssection, especially their upper horizontal members or sections 25, and each supporting-bar B at a point in its lower member or section 24 is provided with an opening26, (best shown in Fig. 1,) and apin 13 from the upper section 11 of the base A is passed through each of the openings 26, so that the supporting-bars B have rocking movement relative to the upper face of the base. Each supporting-bar B terminates at its lower end in a foot 27, (best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6,) and the foot extensions of the said supporting-bars B are made to enter the space between the flanges 16 and 16 of the spring and lever controlled pin 14. When the said pin 14 is in its normal position, the body portions 23 of the said supporting-bars are perpendicular, as is shown in positive lines in Figs. 1 and 6; but after the hat-frame has been formed and it is desired to remove the hat-frame from the machine the lever 20 is pressed downward, carrying the pin 14 down with it, thus rocking the basket of supporting-bars B inwardly at its upper end, and consequently the diameter of the upper portion of the basket is decreased and the parts to be described and carried thereby are drawn toward the center of the machine, enabling the hat-frame, which has been formed to be lifted from the machine without injury thereto. In fact, the said hat-frame, one of which is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated as C, will practically springfrom the machine at such time. The upper horizontal member 25 of each supporting-arm B is adapted to carry any desired number of clamps D, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 4.

In the construction of a clam D a body portion is provided, (shown in t e drawings as of rectangular shape,) which body portion has a polygonal opening 28 near one end adapted to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the supporting member 25, upon which it is to be placed; but when the clamp is not tightened up, it can be freely slid upon said supporting member. This body portion of the clamp is provided with a'cut 29 at its opposite end, dividing such end of the body of the clamp into two sections d and cl. The section d of the body of the clamp has an aperture 30 therein, extending from side to.side, and the other section (1 has a corresponding aperture 31, but of much larger diameter than the aperture 30.

The threaded end of a bolt E is passed through the aperture 30 in the body of the clamp, and the head 32 of said bolt is of greater diameter than that of the larger aperture 31 in the body of the clamp and near which aperture said head is located; but adj acent to the head of the bolt the body of the bolt is enlarged to form a collar 33, which collar in the application of the bolt enters the I aperture 31 in the body-section of the clamp to a greater or lesser extent. An aperture 34 extends through the head portion of the bolt,

being produced partly in the head and partly in the said collar. The headed end of the bolt receives a thumb-nut e or its equivalent, which nut has bearing against the section (1 of the body of the clamp. The construction of a clamp D is completed by the addition of a washer 35, which is loosely fitted over the collar 33 and is preferably of the same external diameter as the diameter of the head 32 of the bolt, and the said washer 35 has opposing recesses 36 made therein, which recesses when the collar is in proper position register with the apertures 34 in the bolt.

Each. clamp D is adapted to carry a framing member, which framing members are shown in two series, (designated as F and F.) Each framing member of each series consists of a head section and a body-section, the latter being of any desired length, and is usually made of stout wire of such gage as to permit the said body-section of a framing member to enter and to be adjusted in the bolt-opening 36 of a clamp D.

The framing members designated as F are provided with straight body-sections 37 and with curved or hook-shaped heads 38, While the frame members designated as F are shown provided with angular body-sections 37 and with hook-shaped heads 38*; but I desire it to be understood that the body portions of the framing members employed may be given any shape necessary to produce a hatframe of any style or type.

The hat-frame C, which is shown in the drawings as in process of construction, is that style having a straight brim and a crown which is smaller where it connects with the brim than it is at the top of the crown. Consequently those framing members which are to be used to designate the outline of the crown have angular bodies and are given an upward and outward inclination at the top, while the framing members used to define the outline of the brim of the hat are straight. In all cases the hook-heads of the framing members face outward, as is shown best in Fig. 1.

In placing the clamps D upon the horizontal members 25 of the supporting-bars B the said clamps are alternately placed, so that the thumb-screw of one clamp will be above the said upper member 25 and the thumb-screw of the next clamp below said member, thus enabling the operator to have ready access to any particular clamp without interfering with a neighboring one. It Will be observed that each particular clamp may be adjusted independently of its support and that each of the framing members employed in the actual formation of a hatframe can be independently adjusted, also that any desired number of framing members may be permitted to remain in their clamps and the clamps loosened to permit such framing members as are not needed to drop down out of the way and IOC yet be at hand for immediate service, if needed.

A frame of the desired shape is first constructed by hand, and then the various framing members are adjusted in their clamps and the clamps adjusted upon their supports to cause the hook ends of the clamping members to outline the shape of the frame, After the proper outline has been obtained all .the clamps in use are tightened up, and then carried thereby are carried toward the center of the machine, and thus leave the wire of the frame with which they were in engagement, permitting the frame either to spring out from the machine of its own accord orto be lifted out therefrom without injury.

It will be observed that the central portion of the machine or all that portion belqw the clamps and their supports is perfectly free, enabling the operator to make the best use of his hands in applying the wire or in adjusting the framing members; but when the framing members are to be set up they may be set up by measurement, and to that end a measuring device G can be used, which is located at the center of the machine and is removable therefrom and can be employed for centering the crown of the hat-frame.

The measuring or gage device is shown in Fig 6 in two positionsnamely, in positive lines as applied to the framing members for the brim and in dotted lines as applied to the framing members for the crown of the hat. In the construction of the device a rod 39 is employed, which in use extends well above the upper portion of the machine and is removably stepped at its lower end in the bore 15 of the releasing-pin 14. A scale 40 in inches and fractions thereof is produced upon the upper portion of the rod 39, and a collar 41 is mounted to slide upon the scale, being secured in desired position by a set-screw 42. The collar 41 is adapted to support a clamp D in adjusted position on the rod39, as the clamp is free to slide and turn upon the said rod, as is shown in Fig. 5.

The clamp D is constructed in practically the same manner as are the clamps D, heretofore mentioned, except that the opening 25 in the body (1 of a clamp D is circular for the reception of the rod 39 instead of being rectan ular; but the bolt E, the nut e, and the washer 35 are of the same construction as in the case of the clamps D, and the bolt and washer of the clamp are adapted to hold a gage-arm F having a straight body 43 and a crooked head 43 the body being gripped by the clamp and having adjustment therein, while the clamp D can be raised or lowered or swung around the scale-arm 39, as required.

In setting the frame members for the brims of hats turned up or down or given irregular shape it has been found convenient to employ auxiliary framing members F which are supported by the main framing member F. These auxiliary framing members F may be given any desired or necessary shape; but the auxiliary framing member shown in Fig. 7 consists of an angular body 44 and a hook-head 45.

In order to conveniently and adjustably connect the auxiliary framing members with the main framing members, each auxiliary framing member is provided with a clamp D of special construction and shown applied in Fig. 7. This clamp D- consists of a bolt 46, having a head 47, and a washer 48, loosely placed next to the head, said parts having registering recesses therein, forming jointly an opening 49 for the passage of the body section of the framing member F, for example, and in order to provide means for holding the body of an auxiliary framing member F two other washers 50 and 51 are placed on the said bolt, which latter washers have registering -recesses formed therein, constituting an opening 52 for the reception of the auxiliary member, all of the washers lgeing tightened up by a thumb-nut 53 on the olt.

It is obvious that the machine is not only simple, durable, and effective in construction, but that all of the framing members employed have independent adjustment in their clamps, and that all of the clamps have independent adjustment on their supports, rendering it possible to conveniently, expeditiously, and readily set up framing members for any style or shape of frame made from wire or like material, and that although the machine is particularly adapted for use in the construction of hat-frames it can also be adapted to set up forms or shapes for other purposes Where kindred material is to be worked.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a wire-framing machine, rockingarms having inwardly-extending members at their upper ends, a plurality of clamps on the inwardly-extending member of each arm, each clamp being adjustable on the said member, and a framing member carried by and adjustable in each clamp.

2. In wire-frame machines, supports, a plurality of clamps slidably mounted on each support and each provided with gripping members between which a framing member IIO IIS

4. In a wire-frame machine, supports,

clamps mounted to slide independently on the said supports, each clamp being provided with gripping-jaws movable relatively thereto, and a screw mounted to simultaneously hold a clamp and its gripping-jaws in adjustment, and a framing member comprising ahook-shaped head and a shank, a framing member being in engagement with the gripping-jaws of'each clamp, the said framing members being capable of end adjustment in the gripping jaws.

5. In a wire-frame machine, a support, clamps independent one of the other and mounted to slide on the said support, gripping-jaws rotatably carried by each clamp,

and means carried by each clamp for controlling the adjustment of the clamp and the adjustment of its gripping-jaws.

, 6. In a wire-frame machine, a body comprising a series of supports, a base from which the said supports extend upward and on which said supports have rocking movement, means for rocking the said supports, horizontal members for the upper portions of the supports, independent clamps mounted on the said upper members of the supports, a framing member adjustably carried by each clamp, and a gage device comprising-an upright removably connected with the said base, a clamp mounted to rotate on the said support, means for holding the said clamp in adjusted position, and a gage-arm adjustably carried by the clamp.

7. In a wire-frame machine, a plurality of pivoted and spring-pressed supports having 9. In a Wire-frame machine, a base, a slid.- I

ing and spring-pressed bolt mounted in the base and having spaced flanges at its upper end, means for sliding the bolt, a plurality'of supports pivoted to the base and having inwardly-extending ends entering the space between the flanges of the bolt, and framing members carried by the supports.

10. In a wire-frame machine, a base," a vertically sliding member in the base, means for sliding the said member, a plurality of supports pivoted to the base and having inwardly-extending members operatively connected with the said sliding member, and ad justable framing members carried by the supports.

11. In a wire-frame machine, a base, a vertically sliding member in the base, means for sliding the said member, a plurality of supports pivoted to the base and having inwardly-extending members operatively connected with the said sliding member, said supports having inwardly-extending horizontal members at their upper ends, clamps on the inwardly-extending members at the upper ends of the supports, and framing members adjustably held by said clamps.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ZBRAHAM VELLEMAN. Witnesses:

J. FRED. AoKER, M. HAMBURGER. 

